



(r.r 



CoptigluX" 1*^0^ 



ri)FYRK;HT DKPOSIT. 



FERN LEAVES 

AND OTHER MUSINGS 



BY 

LAURA (HALL) REED 



LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
Two Copies Received 

OCT li 1905 

CLASS A XXc.No. 






Copyrighted 19Q^ 
By Laura (Hall) Reed 



INTRODUCTORY 

IN giving this book to the public we not only 
wish to contribute to general reading matter, 
but to help fill a much -felt want in furnishing 
declamations for children and for special occasions 
and for the very young ones, which our juvenile 
department supplies. 

As a teacher, I was often in need of material 
to fill out a literary program, and had recourse to 
my own ability to write little couplets or longer 
speeches for required need. I have been advised 
by friends to put these productions, with others of 
my writings in a volume for general use, and hope 
It will be appreciated. 

This book is intended also to contribute to the 
literary holdings of the famJly library, as well as to 
furnish reading matter, verses for quotations, and 
references in filling out original sentences in com- 
position and for any general use that such a pro- 
duction may be used. 

Presenting this to the public with best inten- 
tions, we hope to reap the kindly appreciation and 
good will of all the readers of this little volume, 
and may they be legion, and be ready for my 
NEXT. 

THE AUTHOR 



f ' 



CONTENTS 



FERN LEAVES 7 

WATER LILIES, ''HEARTS OF GOLD"„_ 8 

DRIFTING IN PEACE 9 

THE CASTLES WE USED TO BUILD 11 

THAT SUMMER OF LONG AGO 12 

"SUNNY-EYE" 14 

THE CURSE OF HAW 16 

LULLABY (Evening Song) 18 

THE KING'S HIGHWAY— 19 

GOD'S TEMPLES „ 21 

COUNTRY LIFE 22 

ONLY AN ORPHAN.' 23 

SAN FRANCISCO, PACIFIC'S BRIDE, No. 1. 25 

THE PAST 27 

THE MISSISSIPPI - 27 

THE CONVICT'S RELEASE 29 

ONLY A PAUPER 32 

THE GRAVE IN THE GRASS 33 

THE UNKNOWJJ DEAD __ „ 35 

THE SOLDIER'S REVEILLE 36 

" AMERICAN," " AMERICA " 38 

THE WRECK _ 40 



"UP TO DATE" __. 42 

MARCH 44 

MEN, NOT HOGS 45 

USE THE AX 47 

MY " RUTHERS" 50 

THE EVOLUTION TA(l)L(E) 51 

" WE, THE PEOPLE" 32 

HOLIDAY POEMS 55 

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS 57 

THE FIRST CHRISTMAS DAY 59 

A LITTLE GIRL'S CHRISTMAS 61 

A CHRISTMAS QUERY 63 

SOME QUERIES, OR WHO SANTA GLAUS IS 64 

CHRISTMAS PIECES 65 

MY FRIEND "SANTA" 66 

EASTER OFFERING — "THE IMMORTAL 

DAWN" 67 

THANKFULNESS . 69 

FOR WHAT ARE WE THANKFUL 70 

THANKSGIVING 70 

SUMMER'S LABOR'S O'ER 71 

THE FAIRIES AND SANTA CLAUS 72 

CHRISTMAS PIECES 75 

JUVENILE POEMS 77 

TO THE G. A. R 79 



THE LITTLE BOOT-BLACK 80 

MERRY-GO-'ROUND 81 

A COMEDY OF COLORS 83 

CHILDREN'S MISSION 84 

CHILDREN'S DAY 85 

ROBiN RED BREAST 86 

A LITTLE GIRL'S DIFFICULTIES 87 

A LITTLE BOY'S DESIRE 88 

AN ACCIDENT, AN INCIDENT 88 

A LITTLE GIRL'S BOAST 89 

A FINE BOY 89 

SPEECHES FOR LITTLE TOTS 90 

FOR LITTLE FOLKS 91 

OUR PETS 91 

A SPEECH 92 

CHILDREN'S PIECES 93 

BABY SONG 94 

STORY OF THE CURSE OF HAM 95 



FERN LEAVES 

Fern I^eaves, O, fern leaves, 

Like a poet's thought, 
Lighten up a rugged scene, 
Transform a barren spot. 

Delicate to looT^: upon. 

But firm to grow and seem 
The tracery of a hidden hand 
In shades of richest green. 

Fern leaves, O, fern leaves, 

How I love to see 
Fragile leaves of beauty 
In lace-lik« tracery. 

Fern leaves, bright fern leaves, 

Let thy beauty still 
Decorate the shady nooks 
And flower -bedecked hill. 

There may I find you ever, 

There may I see thy grace, 
Like a thought of heaven, 
Dropped down into space. 

Other plants may blossom 

In beauty rich and sweet ; 

Ferns have no need to blossom- 

Their beauty is complete, 

- 7 - 



FERN LEAVES AND OTHER MUSINGS 



They grow to furnish others 
What they lack in grace ; 
To give a rich green trimming 
Of heaven's own made lace. 

Fern leaves, rich fern leaves, 
I know you're thoughts from 
heaven, 
Like flowers, the earth to brighten . 
By a loving Father given 



WATER LILIES, HEARTS OF GOLD 

Water lilies, hearts of gold, 

In your depths a secret hold ; 

Why may lilies bloom so fair 
With muddy water everywhere 

Where the pure white lilies grow? 

Bloom in beauty, lilies, blow, 

To me, lilies, thoughts unfold — 
Water lilies, hearts of gold. 

Stars of beauty, hearts of gold, 

'Tis a secret you will hold, 

How your cups so snowy white 
Come from mud as dark as niglit 

Still I greet you, lily star, 

There is beauty where you are. 

- 8 — 



"FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 

Water lilies, stars of love, 

Worthy of such thoughts you prove ^ 

Though some things be dark or fair, 
Love may blossom everywhere. 

Turning darkness into light, 

Do the lily-stars so bright; 

What would muddy waters hold 
But for lilies, hearts of gold? 

Thoughts of beauty, stars of light, 

Change the face of sullen night ; 

So may things so useless seem 
Bring forth beauty as a dream ; 

Lessons taught by lilies fair, 

God's great love is everjrwhere ; 

Let my life thy secret hold, 
Water lilies, hearts of gold. 



DRIFTING IN PEACE 

O, boat of life, if into peaceful 

waters you may glide, 
Just let me rest and drift and rock 

with ebb or flow of tide, 
Just let me stay where waters clear 

reveal the pearls beneath 
That hidden are when winds are high 

and lashing waves make reek. 

- 9 - 



FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



O, let me see the beauties of 

a troubled sea in peace, 
O, let me know that on the shores 

of time oft come surcease 
From tossing to and fro and straining 

nerves and brains to meet 
The hardest steering of life's bark — 

what daily tasks complete. 
O, let me drift and rest while yet 

on time's uncertain shore ; 
O, let me see the soothing peace 

that earth may hold in store ; 
O, let me feel the calm that comes 

when storms have ceased to ride 
And when the best survives the wrecks 

of rushing winds and tide, 
When such rest comes, as come it may, 

to every storm -tossed soul, 
It seems the peace of heaven falls 

before we reach the goal ; 
'Tis then we drift and rest and wait 

for life's long sleep to come, 
And perchance wake to find that life 

was but a voyage Home. 



— 10 — 



"FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



THE CASTLES WE USED TO BUILD 

[To a friend who has passed from the perishing works of time to the 
heaven-built mansions in eternity. We built sand castles together.] 

The castles we used to build, my friend, 

The castles by life's great sea — 
The building of which was greatest joy — 
Were good and fine, thought we ; 

But we reckoned not the lapping waves 

Of fate from life's great sea, 
Nor thought we of the wrecks they'd make 
Of our castles for you and me. 

But building stronger and grander still, 

As each castle falls away. 
We planned the castles of hopeful youth 
And thought to make them stay. 

With wisdom and hope and cheerful hearts 

We planned and built each day ; 
And wondered and sorrowed and hoped 
betimes, £ ^ \ J 

As our castles JtafTaway. ^ 

'Tis ever thus. We plan and build 

What to us seems sublime ; 
Our castles never stand the test 
On the changing shores of time ; 

Still youth must build these castles fair, 
For building is benign, 

- 11 - 



FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



And the "thoughts of j^outh are long, long 

thoughts," 
Whate'er the home or clime. 

I weep not for those castles fair 
We built by life's great sea ; 
'Twas good those castles thus to build — 
'Twas good for you and me. 

Though I think of them as fairy dreams 

Youth dreamed by life's great sea, 
'Twas strength we gained and wisdom, too. 
To build for eternity. 



THAT SUMMER OF LONG AGO 

There is a time of long ago 

Enshrined in my memory, 
A summer-time sweetly unreal 

In visions of life for me ; 
JBut things w^ere not just what they seemed 

In that summer of long ago, 
For life was then a happy dream — 
'Twas faith that made it so ; 
When flowers bloomed in fairer sheen, 
With nature's verdure more serene, 
And ''things were not just what they seemed " 
In that summer of long ago. 

Long years ago, that summer time 
Has with its dreams gone by ; 

— 12 - 



"FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



Long years ago the hopes it gave 

Vanished, I know not why; 
I know not why such times must come, 

For as sure they pass away. 
But memory keeps immacculate 
For us a perfect day. 
When flowers bloomed in fairer sheen, 
The verdant grass was richer green 
In life's great day of "might have been" — 
In that summer of long ago. 

In every life there comes a time, 
Like that summer of long ago, 
The acme of the soul's delight. 

Which again we may not know : 
And loves and joys and happj^ hours 

Like flowers fade away ; 
Regrets and hates and sorrows, too, 
Must pass, thej^ ma}^ not stay ; 
They pass as memories sad or sweet, 
Or parts of a vanished day replete, 
When love seemed pure and life complete- 
In that summer of long ago 



13 - 



FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



" SUNNY-EYE " 

[Taken from "The Lone Indian" in McGuffy's Sixth Reader.] 

O, "Sunny -eye," long years ago 

Your lowly bed was made, 
A mound upon a gentle hill 

Beneath the forest shade ; 
A monarch oak to mark the place 

For " Eagle -eye " to see, 
That he may rest in peaceful death 

And have his bed with thee. 

Refrain: 
O , " Eagle - eye , ' ' your heart must break , 

Your life has been too long ; 
The hills where as a boy you played 

Echo the '' pale face" song. 
The white man's boat 's upon the stream 

Where shot the birch canoe ; 
The white man's hand has changed the 
scene 

To death of hope for you. 

O, warrior brave, so tall and grand, 

Hero you still may be. 
With aching heart you may survey 

The land so fair to see ; 
But desecrated is the spot 

Where sleeps the ** Sunny -eye,' ' 

— 14 — 



" FERN LEAVES " AND OTHER MUSINGS 



The white man's ax has felled the tree 
Where Indian brave would lie. 
Refrain: 
O, sad the moan of breaking heart, 

The heart of " Eagle -eye;" 
The ** pale -face" nothing sacred holds 

Where Indian brave would die ; 
The forest calm, the grand oak's shade, 

The grassy mound of clay, 
The forest of primeval woods 
Art, ruthless, sweeps away. 

* O scattered are my people far, 
The young oak and the vine, 
Cut down, torn and trampled are, 
Like loves and hopes of mine. 
The papoose and the squaw are here, 

Dead hope is in their grave, 
There is no place for me to die — 
No peace for Indian brave." 
Refrain: 
So snap the bow string long, long tried, 

And break your arrows strong. 
And sigh to hear no more the words 

Of hopeful warrior song ; 
Upon the grave of " Sunny -eye" 
There may your sorrows cease. 
When scenes like this make your heart 
wail 
" I cannot die in peace." 

- 15 — 



"FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



" THE CURSE OF HAM ^' 

(See the true story "The Curse of Ham" as arranged by author. "Li'Ie" 
fs pronounced same as "little" omitting sound of t. 

Out in the duskv night, owls screaching nigh^ 
Stars or the storm-clouds or moon sailing high, 
When the world's searching eyes closed are in 

sleep, 
*' Mammy " her vigil will faithfully keep. 
Down in the dewy grass, tears falling fast, 
** Mammy " is faithful in love to the last. 
Others may scorn him, he now is at rest. 
She croones to him yet as a babe on her breast. 
Then Mammy your lullaby sing. 

Refrain : 
*' Mammy is neah you, sleep baby boy, 
Nothin' can hahm you, nothin' annoy,' 
Mammy is neah you, sleep baby sleep, 
Mammy'Lgie hoo-doos from her li'le one keep, 
RoqKbye, li'le one sleep." 

No one must know of a sorrow so deep 
When * * Mammy* ' comes to a new grave to weep ; 
When green grass is creeping over the dead. 
Where leaves are falling to cover the bed ; 
Of " Mammy's " lone lost one, her own baby boy 
Once all her hopes, her ambitions, her joy, 
Now he is sleeping and " Mammy's " heart breaks 

- 16 - 



" FERN LEAVES " AND OTHER MUSINGS 



While softly the echoes her lullaby wakes ; 
Yes, Mammy your lullaby sing. 

Refrain: 
'* Mammy is neah you, sleep baby boy, 
Nothin' can hahm you, nothin' annoy; 
Mammy is neah you, sleep baby sleep. 
Mammy '1 t^hoo-doos from her li'le one keep. 
Rocl^ye, li'le one sleep." 

I^ove changeth not ' ' but is faithful and true 
When others must change, nor Mammy will you. 
When his heart broke from **th' curse upon 
Ham," 

When he must flee for his freedom from man, 
*' Mammy " he found you, to die in your love. 
May your earth dreams be fulfilled above — 
And the blood of a Saviour, as a sacrifice lamb 
Cleanse mistaken sin and the "deep curse of Ham. ' ' 
Then Mammy in triumph may sing. 

Refrain: 
** Mammy is neah you, sleep baby boy, 
Nothin' can hahm you, nothin' annoy; 
Mammy is neah you, sleep baby sleep, 
Mammy '1 the hoo-doos from her li'le one keep. 
Rock-bye, li'le one sleep.*' 

A 



— 17 — 



FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



LULLABY-EVENING SONG 

Hush -a -by, lullaby, sink thou to rest, 

Thy head pillowed safely on mother's breast; 
Nothing can harm thee now, baby dear, 

While mother's face is bending so near, 
Softly, tenderly, sinking to sleep, 
Love's labors watch shall over thee keep, 
Sail into dreamland, so fair and so wide, 
Through restful moments there to abide. 
Hush -a -by, lullab}^ sleep, 
(Echo) Sweetly sleep. 

Hush -a -by, lullaby, rest thou my child. 

Sweet faith of childhood hours have beguiled, 
Faith in protecting and tenderest care — 

Faith in unfaltering love everywhere ; 
Softly and gently sailing to sleep 
While evening shadov/s silently creep ; 
Nothing to harm thee, nothing to fear, 
Is thy trust in a mother watching so near. 
Hush-a-b3^ lullaby, sleep, 
(Echo) Sweetly sleep. 

O could my faith be as perfect as thine. 

Faith in a Father's love, unchanging, divine. 
Faith in unfailing and tenderest care. 

Reaching and holding me close everywhere — 
Could I as sweetly a lullaby hear, 

— 18 - 



FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



Feel a dear Father's face bending as near, 
Then let me tenderly sink down to rest, 
Enfolded with love to my great Father's breast. 
" Hush-a-by, lullaby, sleep," 



(Echo) Sweet sleep 



F-^ 



(To be put to music. 



THE KING'S HIGHWAY 

(ALLEGORICAL) 

I stood outside the Palace gate 
And waited for the King ; 
To answer my petition, he 

A message sure would bring. 

I waited there and wept and prayed, 
But gates of iron and brass 

Were shut upon my hopes and faith, 
Nor would they let me pass. 

I stood outside and bowed in grief, 

My King seemed not to care ; 
And sorrowed I for * 'wasted time" 
For my unheeded praj^er. 

Yes, waited I outside the gate, 
Would faith a message bring? 

It seemed in vain I waited there 
An answer from the King. 

Yet as I wept I chanced to see 
The Prince was by my side, 

- 19 - 



"FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



His look of sweet humility 

Rebuked my selfish pride. 

What had he done through all the years ? 
I thought he did not care — 

Just making the conditions that 
Were answers to my prayer. 

But, lo, I let my selfishness 

But blind me to the truth ; 
The prayers of love and life and faith, 
The prayers of years and youth, 

Were heeded all and answered as 
The King alone could do. 

Why had I wept outside th* gate 
When he was near and true? 

How long, how long it takes to learn 

The patience that will wait, 
Nor think the palace closed and cold 
Nor weep "outside the gate!" 

For I04 the thoroughfare of life 
Is but the King's highway ; 

There we may meet him face to face 
In what we do each day. 



— 20 — 



FERN LEAVES " AND OTHER MUSINGS 



GOD'S TEMPLES 

Give me something nature gave us, 

something sweet and real, 
Take away the polish like 

the glare of burnished steel, 
Give me nature in the music 

as a lark sings unto heaven, 
Giv^e us love and peaceful rest 

for worship God has given ; 
For I'm tired of art and culture 

that all nature rubs away, 
And I'm tired of showy dress parade 

for holy Sabbath day. 
And I'm tired of lavish comforts 

for the holy house of God, 
Of the tinsel and the mammon 

which a worldly world must laud. 
Oh, I long for some sweet quiet place 

of nature greatly blessed. 
Where trees and birds and verdant fields 

by nature's hand are dressed. * 
I love the quiet, quiet place 

where God ' s great hand is seen , ' ' 
Where His loving proclamations are 

proclaimed in living green, 
Giving rest from w^orldly labor 

and wear of daily strife, 

~ 21 - 



FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



That chokes the sweeter feelings 
that count for higher life, 

And take the glare of art awa3^ 

and give me nature's sheen 

Where God is the great architect 

and His loving hand is seen 



COUNTRY LIFE 

Here's love to th' fields that are rolling far 

With golden harvest grain ; 
And here's to the fields of waiving corn 

That covers hill and plain ; 
And here's to the orchard bending low 

O'er clover blossoms sweet; 
And here's a love of the quiet life 

Away from the noisv street. 

Oh, yes, there's work on the busy farm, 

There's work for hands and brain, 
There's something more than empty tasks 

In raising stock and grain ; 
Don't count the farmer as a dunce. 

Nor scoff his work in life ; 
For better is our living made 

By th' farmer and his wife. 

And here's to the sunburnt hands and face, 
And shoes spread out in dirt — 

^ 22 - 



FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



And here's to the wide brimmed old straw hat 

And colored ** hickory" shirt. 
And here's to the farmer boy and girl 

And their work for me and you. 
Without the blessings of their toil 

What would the town folk do? 

Their ways can just as polished be 

Though hands are not so fair 
As what are met in stores, at desks 

Or on the city's thoroughfare. 
But, come, don't call them awkward, green, 

Nor scoff their badge of tan ; 
To make a first class farmer, sure. 

It takes a first class man. 



ONLY AN ORPHAN 

[Founded upon an incident of the finding: of a little naked baby, cold 
and dead, upon the streets of a great city, and only a few blocks from 
palatial residences.] 

Little white hands are folded 

Upon a breast as cold ; 
Little lips are silent 

O'er sorrows never told ; 
For want of warmth and sunshine 

And something fit to eat 
Has added one more victim 

In poverty stricken street. 

- 23 - 



"FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



Only an orphan baby, with more than she could 

bear, 
A little orphan baby, with less than she could wear, 
A lonely orphan crying, with none to heed or care, 
For there are orphan babies and sadness everywhere. 

When the world is full of sunshine, 

And food there is to spare, 
And palace homes so empty 

Of baby faces there, 
*Tis strange that any baby 

Should die upon the street, 
With naught for its protection 

And not a mite to eat. 

Then only an orphan baby, with more than she 

could bear. 
Forsaken little baby, why shouldn't someone care? 
But vice and lust and folly cast babes upon the 

street. 
To die with none to pity, and naught to wear or eat. 

But there are orphan children 

With not a place to go 
In every crowded city — 

O, shame that it is so ! 
They're worse than orphan babies 

When vices rout the home ; 
O, is it necessary 

To have the city slum? 

- 24 — 



"FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



Yes, only an orphan baby, with more than she 

could bear. 
Only an orphan baby, with less than she could wear, 
Must die of cold and hunger, yes, die upon the 

street-^ 
O, worse than orphan baby, so sad that this 

could be. 



SAN FRANCISCO, PACIFIC'S BRIDE 

(No. 1) 
(No. 2 put to music as the New San Francisco.) 

O, fair San Francisco, 

So great in thy pride, 
When sitting in beauty. 

Pacific's fair bride ; 
O, great California, 

The garden of God, 
Where nature's best gifts are 

Spread lavish abroad ; 
How art thou now weeping 

In sorrow today, 
For death and destruction 

Have claimed thee for prey. 
Refrain: 
O, San Francisco, O ''Golden Gate," 
Great is thy sorrow and pitiful fate ; 
Pride of the seacoast, the Pacific's bride, 
Sitting in ashes, with faith sorely tried; 
Our stricken city bowing in grief, 

— 25 - 



"FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



Our offering of love is now thy relief ; 
O, California, here is our free hand, 
Here's love and pity for thy stricken land. 

O, proud San Francisco, 

In sack -cloth bows low, 
To fair California, 

A desperate blow ; 
But sympathy yet lives. 

Though sorrow lives, too, 
So frail are ambitions, 

But hearts must be true ; 
O, fair were thy prospects — 

A fresh fun'ral pile 
Now marks thy achievements 

For many a mile. 

Futile are wealth and art 

When God's forces move, 
As naught the works of man 

Against nature prove ; 
Foolish the works of man — 

Best works of his hand 
May perish in moments — 

But love can withstand ; 
So faith must yet conquer 

In trials like this : 
Yes, stronger than earthquakes 

Sweet charity is. 

- 26 - 



FERN LEAVES " AND OTHER MUSINGS 



THE PAST 

The dying leaves have fallen, 

The trees look bare and cold ; 
The winter now is coming, 

The year is growing old. 

Sadly the winds are wailing. 

Singing a doleful lay, 
Where lately flowers were smiling 

In the mellow autumn day. 

Thus e'en our lives are going. 
Our springs and summers pass, 

Our thoughts, our hopes, our friendships 
Go as the flowers and grass. 

But each must serve a purpose, 
As the flowers that fall away ; 

The past with its fruit is garnered 
Like the fruit of autumn day. 



THE MISSISSIPPI 

O, roll, wide stream, away 
In ceaseless, turbulent sway 

Toward the sea ; 
Thy water's just the same 
As ere the steamers came 

To ply on thee. 

- 27 - 



FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



O, what can change thy face 
Or leave a lasting trace 

Upon thy waves? 
Upon thy bed await 
The lowly and the great 

In wat'ry graves. 

Aye, had' St thou rolled between 
Primeval forests green 

Hundreds of years, 
When DeSoto's soldiers came 
Hunting for gold and fame, 

Hailed thee with cheers. 

Nothing so grand he found 
As thee, in forests 'round. 

His resting place ; 
May DeSoto's ashes be 
Forever held by thee 

In death's embrace. 

The Indian's light canoe, 
Bearing its savage crew. 

Has passed away, 
But still from shore to shore 
Thy muddy waters roar 

Forever and aye. 

Thy unchanged course pursue 
Countless of ages through, 

- 28 - 



FERN LEAVES " AND OTHER MUSINGS 



A blessing to man ; 
Spanned by his works of art, 
Flow through our country's heart, 

Sublime and grand. 



THE CONVICrS RELEASE 

What! is it true I'm free once more? 
Am I outside the prison door? 
What ! can it be with bang and grate 
They have shut to the prison gate 
And left me free? 

And am I free} How strange, indeed ! 
I cannot feel that I am freed ! 
How dragged the days that now are past ! 
Ten years have slowly gone at last, 
And I am here, 

Outside the walls that hold within 
Convicts such as I have been. 
Yet almost loth I am to go 
Out in the world that hates me so 
For what I've been. 

Alas ! they might have kept me there, 
For though I now breathe freedom's air, 
No home awaits to welcome me, 
No hearts are glad because I'm free — 
Alas, not one! 

-29 — 



FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



With broken heart my mother died, 
Long years ago I was her pride ; 
O, God ! how did I win the shame 
That brought disgrace upon my name 
And wrecked my hopes ! 

I learned the fatal cup to drain, 
It stoned my heart, it turned my brain 
And reason fled, while in its power 
A fatal crime of one short hour 
A convict made. 

A convict then, an outcast now, 
The mark of shame upon my brow ; 
'Twould break my heart to go once more 
And stand beside the cottage door 
Of what was home. 

And hear the murmuring waterfall 
From crystal springs behind the wall, 
Or stand where boyish hands have made 
Mills and castles in the shade 
Of maple trees. 

Nor could I rest upon the hill 
Where stands the church in shadows still. 
Where oft I sang in childish glee 
With other children, glad and free, 
On Sabbath day. 

— 30 — 



"FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



O, when I sang in sabbath school, 
O, when I played in shade so cool, 
What heart would then have dared to tell 
That I should fill a felon's cell, 
A convict be ! 

O, curse the cup that made me such ! 
O, curse the time I drank too much ! 
Twice cursed the life that I must wear ! 
And cursed the name that I must bear — 
"A. convict free! " 

For in the world no place for me 
Can my heart find, though I am free! 
Alas, they might have kept me there! 
No joys I breathe with freedom's air — 
No hopes awake ! 

No, I shall never trusted be, 
I'm still a convict, though I'm free; 
Yes, almost loth I am to go. 
For all will shun me when they know 
What I have been, 

O, walls that loom up in my sight, 
O, walls that look so cold tonight. 
Why should I leave thy shadows deep? 
Near to thy stones O let me sleep 
And find sweet rest. 

Note Taken from a true incident. The conditions attending the 
convict's standing: in the world after his release drive more back to crime 
than on to good citizenship. Mrs. Maud Ballington Booth, with the "Vol- 
unteer Armv" is carrying: on a work made necessary by just such conditions^ 
and it is very praiseworthy. 

— 31 — 



"FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



"ONLY A PAUPER" 

" Only a pauper! A pauper," we say, 
She died this morn at break of day. 
No friend was near ; no one to weep, 
When at last in death she fell asleep. 
Like the light of stars, that fade at day, 
The light of her life has faded away. 

Those hard, brown hands are folded to rest 

Across that poor, old, wrinkled breast. 

That heavy heart — 'twas full of pain — 

Will never resume its task again. 

Those eyes, that were dimmed with weeping here, 

Will be moistened no more by sorrow's tear. 

Always an outcast? Ah, no, we say. 
She was once a child happy and gay. 
With friends and father and mother dear, 
Who filled her life with hope and cheer — 
Hope, that died in the cruel blast. 
When she became a pauper at last. 

Has she pillowed sweet babes upon her breast ? 
Have childish lips to hers been pressed? 
Have small hands rested on brow and cheek, 
As her lullaby hushed them to gentle sleep ? 
We may not know what her life has been ; 
Of the joys or sorrows she has seen. 

- 32 — 



"FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



But this we know, she's a pauper old, 
Soon to be covered by clay, so cold. 
God knows the trials she had to bear ; 
Though **only a pauper" He will care. 
He'll not forget her lowly bed, 
His angels will guard the forsaken dead. 



THE GRAVE IN THE GRASS 

(To be set to music.) 

I 

There's a grave in the grass 

and the green moss is creeping 
To cover the mound where the loved one is dead, 
And the sweet flowers are waving 

we planted a weeping 
When we decked with great care the last narrow bed, 
Yes, only too soon 
Thus over the tomb 
The grave mosses creep 

and the sweet flowers bloom. 

II 
O, that the grave in the grass 

holds a heart that was loving, 
Holds the form of a friend both tender and true. 
Though we long much to see 

the face of the loved one, 

— 33 — 



FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



That grave in the grass holds it ever from view. 
Yes ever from view, 
Though hearts ache anew 

To behold once again the friend 

loved and true. 

Ill 
There's a grave in our hearts 

like the one in the grasses, 
'Twas made when they laid the loved one to rest. 
And the sigh of the wind 

that o'er the tomb passes 
Is echoed again in a sad, aching breast. 
We sigh for the dead 
And softly we tread 
As we deck with great care 

the last narrow bed. 

IV 
We, too, shall lie 'neath the moss 
and the flowers 
And near us will be the grave in the grass. 
While above us will fall 

the sunshine and showers, 
And we'll hear not the sigh of th' winds as they pass. 
Then only too soon 
Thus over the tomb 
The grave moss will creep 

and the sweet flowers bloom. 



34 



"FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



THE UNKNOWN DEAD 

Oh ! we ma}^ laden the children 
With flowers, sweet and fair, 

To bear to the graves of heroes 
Our tokens of loving care. 

Our hearts may swell with emotions, 

When we stand by the soldier's grave; 

When we think of his deeds of valor, 
Of the life he freely gave. 

And the soldier's pulse may quicken. 
While keeping step to the drum, 

As it did on the eve of battle, 
Ere the conflict had begun. 

We see a nation severed, 

Convulsed with fear and pain ; 

And anxious hearts are asking, 
" Will it e'er be one again?" 

But the breach is brought together. 

With blood cemented o'er. 
Oh ! may the heart of the nation 

Be broken never more. 

But, Ah ! what wounds we open 

When we ask the question low, 
' Where was your son buried?" 
'' Alas, we do not know." 



35 



"FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSFNGS 



He fell in sunny Southland 
Away down in Tennessee.*' 
Or answer may come more sadly -*- 
*' He was marching to the sea." 

" But, where our boy is buried 

There is not e'en a stone — 
Only a slab engraven 

With the piteous word, 'Unknown.'^ 

We may stand by those we've buried 
And shed our tears, and sigh, 

But O, *tis a grain of comfort 
To know just where they lie. 

But for those who fell in Southland, 
Away from friends and home, 

Our hearts must ache to remember 

Their graves are marked, *' Unknown." 

** Unknown " the fallen soldier. 

Sleeping beneath the sod — 
** Unknown " his name to mortals. 

But not * ' Unknown ' ' to God. 



THE SOLDIER'S REVEILLE 

O, twine the laurel and roses 
And all the flowers of May, 

Unto garlands of beauty 
For Decoration Day. 

— 36 — 



FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



Where sleep the fallen heroes 
Let tokens of love be seen ; 

And tread with gentle footsteps 
Their narrow graves between, 

They've folded their tents forever. 

And crossed the mystic river, 

At the call of the Great Commander 

To the bivouac of the dead. 

No more the the roar of cannon 

Nor rousing beat of drum, 
Will call them forth to action— 

Their victories are all won. 
No wars for them are raging. 

They've heard the last " tat- too." 
But ever waves their banner, 

The old ** red, white and blue." 
They've folded their tents forever, 
And crossed the mystic river, 
At the call of the Great Commander 
To the bivouac of the dead. 

'Tis well we love and honor, 

'Tis well we plant sweet flowers 

To blossom in the sunshine 
To freshen in the showers ; 

'Tis well to show devotion 

To them whose hearts were true — 

— 37 - 



FERN LEAVES " AND OTHER MUSINGS 



Ne'er may they be forgotten, 

When all who wore the blue 
Have folded their tents forever, 
And crossed the mystic river, 
At the call of the Great Commander 
To the bivouac of the dead. 



"AMERICAN/' "AMERICA" 

Don't tell me things are not so good 

And of less consequence, 
Unless they have a foreign name 

In some confusing French ; — 
Don^t tell me things are better if 

They come from o'er the sea, 
For "American," "America*' is good 

enough for me. 
Then with your foreign things ' ' go 'way, ' ' 
I'll take our home made any day ; 
America is better pay, 

And good enough for me. 

The finest of French (?) merchandise 

In America is made. 
For goods of 

Enormous sums are paid. 
While in our own fair country 

Is the best for any price. 

- 38 - 



FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



So you'll buy in '*01d America" 
If you're a patriot and wise. 

Then with your foreign things '*go 'way," 

We'll take our "home -spun" any day; 

And spell it in ''* America," 
'Tis "America'" for me. 

The cut of shoe, the style of hat, 

The mode I dress my hair — 
I'd rather have "American," 

And everything I wear. 
We need not go to Europe 

To learn a thing or two — 
We can learn in our own country 

What's best for me and you. 
Then with your "a la modes" go 'way. 
And name things in an English way ; 
When made in our America, 

That's good enough for me. 

She has the ablest scholars, 

She has the finest schools, 
She has the smartest people. 

She has the biggest fools. 
She's in the lead for most things, 

Of this don't doubtful be. 
O, "American," "America," 

Is good enough for me. 
Then wirh your foreign "dooks" go 'way, 

- 39 - 



FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



We'll take our Yankees any day^ 
And stick to old America, 
'Tis best for you and me. 

[Note— The conjunction understood between "American/' "America." 
^s intended to be "or," hence the verb is singular. Otherwise it would be 
incorrect.] 



THE WRECK 



A soft evening breeze swept up from the bay 
As a fond mother sang at the close of the day, 
And lulled her young babe to innocent sleep 
While longing she gazed o'er the billowy deep. 

The waves as they swept o'er the sands in their glee 
Seemed tiding to bring of one out at sea, 
But they broke on the rocks into silvery foam 
Nor told if the loved one would soon return home . 

Slowly the light in the west fades away, 

While softly, the wind rocks the boats on the bay, 

The longing and loving eyes look all in vain, 

No gleaming white sails can they see on the main. 

With a prayer on her lips and a hope in her breast, 
The young wife and mother lies down to her rest. 
But, ah, soon is ended the rest scarce begun. 
By the blast of the tempest, the roar of a gun, 

A ship in distress ! In the storm and the night ! 
Tossed near the rocks where the lighthouse glares 
bright ! 

- 40 - 



FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



She'll soon be a wreck! oh, who then can save 
Her crew from the fate of a watery grave ? 

But — it is o'er^the morning sun is now shining 

bright 
O'er landscape and sea and the wreck of the night. 
The broken sails dip in the waters so blue, 
But where, now, oh where, is the ill-fated crew? 

Do they lie on the rocks where sea mosses grow? 
Do their white faces stare from the depths? Ah, no. 
In the hamlet ashore, ere the morning was red, 
The wild waves gave back all the living and dead. 

And the mother who sang at the close of the day 
Now holds a dear hand as she looks o'er the bay. 
And mutters a prayer as the waves sweep the deck 
Thankful the BEST was saved from the wreck. 

May we as we gaze at our hopes through our tears — 
Wrecks that are tossed by the flood of the years — 
In thankfulness lift our eyes toward heaven 
To know from the wrecks the best has been given. 



- 41 - 



"FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



"UP TO DATE" 

* Up to date," ah„don't you hear it 

When you're on the street! 
' Up to date," this phrase repeated 

By the friends you meet ; 
When they ask about your purchase, 

When they price your clothes, 
When they note your shoes or headgear. 

Yes, everything that goes 
Must be "up to date," "up to date," 

Don't forget the phrase ; 
Everything that's worth the choosing, 
Everything that's worth the doing, 
Everything that's worth pursuing, 
Must be "up to date." 

' Up to date," your table linen, 

Your automobile, too, 
Why that "up to date" should change theni 

Is strange as it is true. 
Why can't things be good as ever 

And not be "up to date?" 
Why a year or two should damage 

At a serious rate — 
Yet "up to date," "up to date," 

This most valued phrase 
Changes what we are possessing, 

- 42 - 



• FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



Rules the very laws of living, 
For everything that's worth the getting 
Should be *'up to date." 

' Up to date," in stores or office 

Rules in all they do ; 
'Just the latest," is what's offered, 

And everything is *'new.^' 
Things that are as good as ever 

Wouldn't suit us if we knew 
They weren't ''up to date" or "season,' 

Nor the "latest thing" and "new," 
And "up to date,'' "up to date," 

How we roll the phrase ; 
Nothing now is worth the showing. 
Nothing now is worth the having, 
Nothing now is worth the buying 
Unless it's "up to date." 

Is there nothing can rescue us 

From this foolish fate? 
Is there not a phrase as worthy 

As this "up to date?" 
If there were another given 

To help us in this strait, 
'Twould be this: "As good as any" 

If — it's up to date ! 
Then "up to date," "up to date," 

Would not be the "craze," 

— 43 - 



•'FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



For the phrase, "As good as any." 
Means as much as need be mentioned, 
'Twould save money, time and worry. 
And be up to date. 



MARCH 

March with his blustering and blowing, 
March with his north wind and snowing, 
When winter breaks up in dispair 
But leaves his cold breath in the air — 
This is March. 

Just before April's bright teardrops 
Come pattering upon the housetops. 
Cold winter prepares for his death. 
But he dies not in a short breath — 
Rough March is his doom. 

Just before sweet flowers are springing 
Birds from the south -land come singing, 
And flit through the bare naked trees 
To wait for the soft summer breeze — 
This is rude, rough March. 



FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



MEN, NOT HOGS 

(Rights Reserved) 

God give us men," not hogs to hold 

the capital for labor— 
Men who can feel that man is man 

and is at least his neighbor, 
Men who can think that men are men 

and not machines or tools, 
Men who can act the part of men 

and not the part of fools ; 
That laws of right may be preserved 

in taking as in giving — 
That justice may be had from each 

to each in daily living. 

God give us men," not fools to hold 

the destinies of nations ; 
Men with great souls," sacred to keep 

depending man's relation, 
That entrenchments need ne'er be made 

on th' sacred sense of duty ; 
One sided justice cannot be 

a thing of sense and beauty ; 
And privileges sacred held 

should be vouch -safed to others, 
Thus commercial domination can 

be had from men as brothers. 



45 



•• FERN LEAVES " AND OTHER MUSINGS 



God give us men," th' products to hold, 
products of thy universe. 

Nor for enhancements of merce- 
nary ambitions. Far worse 

Than no existence are such laws 

for any man to live by. 

But laws of lavish nature are 

the better laws to give by. 

Nor should these lavish gifts be cause 

to trample consciences' scruple 

In avaricious getting, nor 

be cause for "graft'* or "boodle.'* 

We need real men, men who can walk 

without being led or driven-^ 
Men who can dare to stand for right 

which right alone has given. 
Give us the time to recognize 

the need of rights for both sides — 
The interdependence of all men-^ 

a condition that abides. 
And should be for peace and fairness 

cause for strong and honest plea 
That no man's for himself alone 

but is part of humanity. 

God give us love for fellow man. 

God give simplicity, 
Give common sense, fair-mindedness 

and faithful consistency. 



- 46 



FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



Oh, we need men, real men, such men 

as God alone can give us — 
Kind-hearted men with sense and nerve 

is surely what we need most. 
That each may have what is his due 

from "capital or "labor.'' 
Nor men be " hogs nor fools, nor tools," 

but brother, friend, or neighbor. 



USE THE AX 



If you are in store or office, 

Or piling up accounts, 
Or in banks the money counting 

Each hour in great amounts. 
All this gets to be confusing 
Through the daily work pursuing. 
And you feel your strength is "oozing" 

In your daily task, 
Homeward wend your weary way, 
Your back yard in thought survey, 

Get your nerve and wield your ax, 

Wield your ax, ax, ax. 
Rest your mind and " blow" your muscle 
By the wielding of the ax- 
Use the ax, 
Yes, the ax. 



-47 - 



" FERN LEAVES " AND OTHER MUSINGS 



If your work is in a drug store, 

Mixing oils and paints, 
Weighing drugs for fine prescriptions^ 

For "science'* or complaints. 
You'll need a tonic worth the taking, 
Which takes strength and work in making, 
Its composition is no ''faking," 

If a cheerful task ; 
It's the splitting of the wood, 
'Tis the exercise that's good. 

The nerve invigorating ax, 

Yes, your ax, ax, ax; 
With the chopping and the splittinof 

It's a vigor -giving ax ; 
Yes, the ax, 
Use the ax. 

If you are a financier 

Working long and late, 
Don't forget your time is going 

At a serious rate. 
Just remember health and vigor 
Are the jewels you should *'dig for," 
You should try with greater rigor, 

If your mind you tax. 
When you homeward wend your way 
At the closing of each day 

To have "strenuousness" relax 
With your ax, ax, ax ; 

— 48 - 



"FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



With your wielding and your pounding 
With the strength restoring ax, 
Use the ax, 
Yes, the ax. 

It's just as good for girls and women 

As it is for men. 
For weak lungs there's nothing better 

Than chopping now and then ; 
Using axes not to rue it, 
Not as politicians do it — 
For such purposes eschew it — 

As a daily task. 
Commence, then, at early dawn. 
Or at night when day's work's done, 
Get your nerve and wield your ax, 

Yes, your ax, ax, ax; 
It is good for lungs and muscle, 

Is this wielding of the ax, 
Yes, the ax. 
Use the ax. 



- 49 



"FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



MY "RUTHERS" 

A poet spoke of *'ruthers," 
And what he'd "ruther" do — 

He'd "ruther" have his "ruthers'' — 
I'd "ruther" think so, too. 

For if I had my "ruthers" 
I'd **ruther" have them, too; 

I*d *'ruther" have my "ruthers," 
Now, honest, wouldn't you? 

But if we had our "ruthers," 

I'm sure I cannot see 
How then they'd be our ''ruthers," 

That's what is puzzling me. 

For I think we'd still have "ruthers,' 
No difference what we'd do ; 

We'd hunt up other "ruthers," 
Don't you think so, too? 

If I could get my "ruthers," 

Or even just a few, 
I think I'd "ruther" have them, 

Now, honest, wouldn't you ; 



- 50 - 



FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



THE EVOLUTION TA(I)L(E) 

[Note— I do not wish to deprive anyone of monkey progenitors, but 
object to such a ta(l)i(e) being fastened onto mine.] 

A man by name of Darwin 

Claimed that man from monkeys came, 
By a wondrous evolution, 

With a scientific name ; 
And a lot of boosted wisdom, 

Would give to you and me 
A thing we wouldn't boast of — 

A monkey pedigree! 

Yes, this Darwinian evolution 

Is a somber thing to me, 
For every monkey surely has 

Descended from a tree. 
And if every man from monkeys 

Can trace his pedigree. 
His mother, wife or sweetheart 

May be a "peach," you see! 

So if man descended from the monkey. 

And the monkey from the tree. 
This Darwinian evolution 

Is a jolly thing to me ; 
For in everyone's possession 

Must be a "family tree!" 
And according to the record 

Yours may be "peach," you see! 

- 61 - 



" FERN LEAVES " AND OTHER MUSINGS 



WE, THE PEOPLE;" OR PARTISANSHIP 
VS. POLITICS 

** We the people," yes, we flaunt 

our independence great ; 
*' By the people" laws are made 

to govern every state ; 
" By the people" patriots and freedom 

are ever flaunted high, 
While "independence" writhes in chains 

that makes such boast a lie. 

** Of the people," yes, a phrase that 

means not what it should ; 
** By the people" freedom has 

her neck fast in a noose ; 
Created by the people is 

a tyranny so great 
That throttled is the force that makes 
a democratic state. 

This power that creates * 'bosses'' 

"machines" and party "tools" -^ 
That drives the people as a herd 

and leads them dumb as fools -^ 
And gets its life from veins of blood 

of th' nation's main resource 
Is party-blind submission 

which robs of right recourse. 



- 52 



"FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



O, shame, this power that ties the hands 

of men in lands like this ; 
For shame, don't call it politics — 

partisanship it is. 
It kills the freeman's vaunted rights 

when followed blindly on ; 
The party lash may keep in line 

the voters good and strong — 
But kills the right — the right to think — 

the constitution gave. 
When patriots bled and died for this — 

this precious right to save. 
Let independence live again 

in individual choice. 
And ''by the people'' not *'the party,'' 

be " the people's " choice. 



— 53 - 



HOLIDAY POEMS 



FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



CHRISTMAS GREETING 

[for larger pupils] 
We have heard the angels singing 

Through the ages long ; 
We have heard the news they brought us 
In their heavenly song — 
''Peace on earth, 

Good will to men,*' 
Let us tell it 
Now again. 

How the night shone bright with glory 

When the tidings came ; 
How a star sprang into beauty 
At the Savior's name ; 
Thus we have it 

Now again. 
For 'tis in 
The hearts of men. 

Ah, if angels told the story 

Of Immanuel's birth, 
We may still prolong the echo 
Throughout all the earth. 
Giving love 

And Christmas cheer 
That may last 

Throughout the year. 

- 57- 



"FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



There are places yet in darkness, 

Places near and far, 
Where they never hear the message 
Of the angel choir ; 
We must herald 

It to them — 
" Peace on earth, 

Good will to men." 

Always peace, good will and gladness, 

And the "Heavenly Light," 
Come to hearts who know the Savior 
With his love and might ; 
He can bring 

Such joy and cheer 
That can last 

Through all the year. 

Then as Christmas dawns in glory 

In each loving heart, 
Let us to the world around us 
Love and peace impart ; 
Let us tell it 
Then again : 
*' Peace on earth. 

Good will to men." 



-S8- 



FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



THE FIRST CHRISTMAS DAY 

[for a declaaiation] 
The sun shone bright at setting 

O'er a country far away, 
It lighted up a city, 

With its tiled roof painted gay, 
While a soft breeze stirred the palm trees 

At the closing of the day. 

Many people there had gathered 

In that city quaint and old ; 
They had clustered from the highways 

To lodge within its fold. 
Till the inns and public places 

Had no more room to hold 

The many who sought shelter, 

And sought it all in vain ; 
And many a weary footman, 

And many a wagon train 
Were resting by the wayside, 

There all night to remain. 

But some had sought the hillside. 
Where caves with stalls were made. 

And entered there and rested 
On beds of soft, dry hay. 

While the breezes rocked the palm trees 
At the closing of the day. 

— 59 - 



"FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



The sun went down in glory, 
Slow fades the gold and red, 

As stars come out in beauty 
And twinkle overhead, 

While the travelers in silence 
Their hungry camels fed. 

The noises of the city 

Had fairly died at last, 
The midnight hour came slowly, 

And quietly it passed, 
A calm, a holy stillness 

O'er all the world was cast. 

Hark ! Suddenly sweet music 
Breaks in upon the night, 

While streaming down from heaven 
There comes a glorious light. 

And the watchmen of the city 
Sore trembled at the sight. 

But, ah, the world may tremble, 
For heaven and earth were blent. 

As angels sang in gladness 
Of the heavenly message sent, 

While a star of wondrous beauty 
Shone in the firmament. 

Hung low, and guided pilgrims 
Unto the low cave door, 

— 60 - 



FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



Where entered weary travelers 

Upon the eve before 
To rest them from their journey 

Until the night was o'er. 

There wise men came to worship 
A new-born babe — a king! 

A glorious Redeemer ! 
Well may the angels sing 

And fill the world with gladness 
With the message which they bring. 

Ne'er will the glorious beauty 
Of that morning fade away, 

For, 'twas the brilliant dawning 
Of our first Christmas day. 



A LITTLE GIRL^S CHRISTMAS 

Where does Santa Claus live? I'd I'ust like to know, 

I wrote him a letter a long time ago ; 

For Santa I thought must be growing old 

And I knew a few things he'd ought to be told ; 

And truly I thought it would be so pleasant 

To tell what I'd like for a nice Christmas present. 

I told him, of course, in a very nice way 
What he should bring me for that Christmas daj^ ; 
For a few things I wanted and that without fail, 
And I gave that nice letter to papa to mail ; 



- 61 



• FERN LEAVES " AND OTHER MUSINGS 



But that is not why I wrote him that letter, 

I asked for some things I thought were much better. 

As I stated before, I thought Santa old, 
And of his mistakes he'd ought to be told ; 
So I wrote down the facts in a very nice way, 
So that he'd get them before Christmas day ; 
I hoped it would make him thoughtful in giving, 
To remember poor people who work for a living. 

What then seemed to me so wonderfully queer. 
He went to the rich banker's home every year, 
And gave an abundance of candies and toys 
And almost forgot some poor girls and boys ; 
To me, I told him, it looked very funny, 
To give his best gifts to those who had money. 

I asked him then for his own credit's sake 

To try not to make such another mistake, 

But to take a hig bundle of candies and toys 

And leave them to gladden the poor girls and boys ; 

Nor then would they think him stingy or crazy, 

Or even what's worse, grown fat and lazy. 

When Christmas eve came I hung up my hose. 
For Santa to fill with whatever ht chose ; 
And soundly I slept through all the long night, 
But quickly I woke as soon as 'twas light, 
And went to my hose ; but nothing was in it. 
Only a note where Santa had pinned it. 

— 62 - 



FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



He wrote, "You're a nice little girl I've not a doubt 
And surely know what you're talking about; 
I'll take your advice — on the poor I shall call ; 
Your papa has money, you see?" That was all. 
Oh, then I was sorry because I had said it, 
And papa looked over my shoulder and read it. 

He bought me some gifts, of course as he should, 
(And that funny fellow knew that he would.) 
A doll, and some dishes, a lovely gold ring, 
And all that I'd asked old Santa to bring ; 
But I'll write no more letters for I cannot feel 

pleasant, 
When Santa won't bring me a nice Christmas 

present. 



A CHRISTMAS QUERY 

(For Boy or Girl.) 

I'd like to tell old Santa Claus 
Some things I know are true, 

And you, my fellow citizens. 
Will have to say so, too. 

He does some things so very queer 

It makes me often doubt 
If old " Kris Kringle" always knows 

Just what he is about. 

Why does he miss some girls and boys 
Whose parents are so poor, 

— 63 - 



FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



And leave his best in wealthy homes? 
I can't see why, Vm sure. 

And then I think he's awful smart, 
How can he get all Wound; 

There are so many boys and girls 
Just in our own fair town. 

To go all o'er this country wide 
In one night, can*t be done; 

And what I think of Santa Claus, 
There's surely more than one. 



SOME QUESTIONS, OR WHO SANTA 
CLAUS IS 

I always believed in old Santa 

And his reindeer that flew without wings. 
And his magical sleigh bells that jingled 
Like music a fairy elf sings. 

But now there are doubts in my musings 
Of Santa and that business of his ; 
I've questioned the big folks around me — 
For I wonder who Santa Claus is. 

Sister Sue just laughs like and giggles 

When I try to make her explain 
How Santa can do such great wonders, 

That to me is never quite plain, 

- 64 - 



"FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



Like climbing down little y wee chimneys 
With a rocking horse, drum and 2i chair] 
I just don't believe he can do it — 
Well, if he gets mad, I don't care. 

And, laviTS, just to think of the young ones 

It would keep him a ' * bumping ' * I think ; 
He wouldn't have time to fill stockings 
Unless he's quick as a wink. 

But, my, I guess he's a good one ; 
I'd love to give him a kiss ; 
If ever I get close so's to see him. 
Then I'd know who Santa Claus is. 

Brother Tom says he's just a '' delusion," 
And Charlie declares he's a * ' bluff ; ' ' 
And the big girls just give their own presents 
As though Santa hadn't enough. 

But I still just dote upon Christmas, 
It's a time when giving's a bliss, 
And I'll always enjoy ** Old Santa " 
Though I dont just know who he is. 



CHRISTMAS PIECE 

(For Small Child.) 

Merry Christmas dear children, 
Merry Christmas to all. 

I can wish you great blessings 
Although I am small. 

- 65 - 



" FERN LEAVES " AND OTHER MUSINGS 



You've heard of old Santa, 
Some call him St. Nick ; 

You've heard of his reindeer 
And his funnier trick 

Of goin^ down chimneys 
The stockings to stuff — 

I hope he'll remember 
To give each enough 

Of all his nice presents, 

Of candy and toys, 
And books that are useful 

For all girls and boys. 

And I hope that dear Santa 

Will not forget me, 
And I wish that we all 

A bright Christmas may see. 



MY FRIEND "SANTA" 

(For a Small Child.) 

'Twill soon be Christmas morning, 
I wonder what I'll get; 

I haven't sent a letter 
To Mr. Santa yet. 

I must write a letter, 

I think he'll get it soon, 
- 66 - 



"FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



For down to town I'm going 
Tomorrow afternoon. 

I want a little locket, 

With a golden chain, 
And a rubber umbrella 

To carry in the rain. 

And do I want a dolly? 

No, I'm getting big 
To play like little children ; 

I want a lady's rig. 

I'll not tell you all I'm wanting. 
But I'll write it down. 

And take it up to Santa 
When I go to town. 



EASTER OFFERING 
"THE IMMORTAL DAWN" 

(A Class Recitation) 
(First Child) 
Two thousand years are past and gone 
Since dawned the first bright Easter morn. 

(Second Child) 
Heaven and earth with joy did ring 
When our lyord arose a King. 

— 67 - 



FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



(Third Child) 
Even the angels told the story 
Of our Savior's risen glory. 

(Fourth Child) 
Immanuel, God with us, today 
Cleanseth all our sins away. 

(Fifth Child) 
Morning breaks in golden light 
After death's appalling night. 

(Sixth Child) 
May we in the straight path tread 
To the Holy Ught be led. 

(Seventh Child) 
On the first bright Kaster day 
Angels rolled the stone away. 

(Eighth Child) 
Rolled the stone away, and we 
Have salvation full and free. 

(Ninth Child) 
Then broken were death's icy bands 
By the Savior's bleeding hands. 

(Tenth Child) 
All our sins on Him were laid 
And for us His life he gave. 

(Eleventh Child) 
Love hath gained the world to Him 
Love hath conquered death and sin. 

- 68 - 



FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



(Twelfth Child) 
Darkness can not hide his face 
If we will but trust His grace. 

(Thirteenth Child) 
All we need to do or say 
Is to always "watch and pray." 

(Fourteenth Child) 
We with hearts so glad and gay 
Welcome will each Easter Day. 

(Fifteenth Child) 
Now to the world may Easter prove 

A bright and glorious morn, 
And may each heart with rapture swell 

At the Immortal Dawn. 

[Explanation:— Each child should have the letter that commences his 
couplet to hold up (on a stick) as he commences to speak, so that when all 
are through they show the phrase in large letters "The Immortal Dawn." 



THANKFULNESS 

I'm not so big you see 
But I can just as thankful be. 
I am thankful for my mother, 
For my father, sister, brother. 
And I love Thanksgiving time, 
For I think it very fine. 
But I'll be thankful every day, 
Is not this the better way? 

— 69 — 



" FERN LEAVES " AND OTHER MUSINGS 



FOR WHAT ARE WE THANKFUL? 

(For Thanksgiving.) 

Turkeys may gobble and chickens hang high ; 
Mix up a plum cake and a big pumpkin pie ; 
Celery, cranberries and such good things to eat, 
Taste fine on Thanksgiving v^^ith dinner complete. 
Just bow and remember who gives us such food, 
With willing hearts render praise to Him who is 

good 
To provide us a country so grand and so free, 
And a day for Thanksgiving for you and for me. 



THANKSGIVING 

Thanksgiving, sweet Thanksgiving, 
It comes but once a year. 

It comes in waning autumn 

When winter days are near. 

When harvest's plenty's gathered, 
When nature sinks to rest. 

When we should be so thankful 
For what we know is best. 



- 70 



FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



SUMMER'S LABOR'S O'ER 

(Thanksgiving Hymn.) 

The harvest moon is silver bright, 

The sun's a ball of gold, 
When frosts paint all the landscape white, 

For now the year grows old ; 
The summer's labor now is o'er ; 

The fruit of seasons past 
Is garnered safe for winter's store, 

While skies are overcast. 

If clouds and gloom reign all around, 

Our hearts must thankful be, 
For all the bounty that abounds 

From field and vine and tree ; 
And justice, truth and freedom live, 

Though oft obscure their sway ; 
Of God*s sunshine and love we're sure, 

And peace to praise and pray. 

And when harvest moon is silver bright, 

Our nation bows to pray ; 
We claim as ours by just birthright 

A glad * ' Thanksgiving ' ' day. 
Aye, all the year should we direct, 

Our thoughts to God in prayer ; 
Forever does His love protect, 

We're objects of His care. 

— 71 — 



FERN LEAVES " AND OTHER MUSINGS 



THE FAIRIES AND SANTA GLAUS 

(Cantata to End a Christinas Program) 

(the queen's speech) 

The Queen seated on a throne, crowned and holding a wand. 

QUEEN ' ' 

Chistmas time is most holy, so we are told 

By prophets and sages and poets of old. 

All people and spirits to evil inclined 

Have no power this night to injure mankind — 

And beasts in their stalls in reverence bow 

To hold conversation in strange whispers low ; 

No witches can charm, so holy's the time — 

So it is told us by poets in rhyme; 

The earth then is free from all violence and fraud 

During this midnight hour. Good spirits abroad 

Their duty perform to fulfill the command, 

To bring " peace upon earth, good will unto man." 

Good will and good gifts are seen everywhere 

When Christmas time comes with love, peace and 

cheer ; 
But the best of all spirits that travel abroad 
Is that "spirit of giving " we call " Santa Claus. 
For ages he's gone with a bundle of toys 
Each Christmas eve to good girls and boys ; 
And gives each a portion to show his good will; 
He goes far and near their stockings to fill. 



> » 



- 72 



" FERN LEAVES " AND OTHER MUSINGS 



How fast his fleet reindeer skim o'er the ground, 

He goes like the wind or he wouldn't get 'round. 

And as to the children there are always so many, 

But Santa tries hard not to miss any ; 

Though he travels so far in the frost and the cold 

He'll always be jolly. But I fear he is old, 

And, what is worse, I fear he is lazy. 

Or perhaps ailing. I'm sure I'm not crazy. 

He asked me to help to bring Christmas cheer, 

And here I am waiting; something's happened I 

fear. 
To his reindeer or sleigh, or perhaps age is against 

him; 
We fairies are ready and wait to assist him. 
But, Oh, I'll be patient, it is best each fairy 
Should be light and gay, not sad, but merry. 
But Santa is ailing, for surely he's late. 

(Here the Queen stops and listens for "a few seconds) 

And a lacking in promptness I ever must hate, 
But, Ah me, I'll try in silence to wait. 

(Stamps her foot, leans back in her throne chair and resigns in silence 
to wait. In a few minutes " Santa " comes in with a " hustle " and " hurry " 
and apparently out of breath. Throws down his " packet " and turns toward 
queen, then part way back to audience. He makes many funny gestures 
while speaking and turns and tramps around and addresses both the queen 
and audience.) 

(santa's speech) 
Come, come, my good Queen, what are you telling ? 
That I'm so old and very near ailing; 
Why as to my age that is all folly, 
I'll never grow old and always be jolly. 

— 73 - 



"FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



But the dear children, I must not miss any, 
And it happens this Christmas there are so many ; 
And that's why I called each willing fairy 
To help in this work of making hearts merry. 
I think, my good queen, you surely are dreaming. 
Or even what's worse some trick you are scheming ; 
For where are the fairies? I do not see one, 
And long ere this time your work should be done. 
I thought you industrious, too much so to shirk. 
Or I ne'er would have asked you to help in this 

work; 
But come, my good Queen, tell what you will do 
So that I may know what course to pursue. 

(queen) 
Ah, Mr. Kris Kringle, we've worked with a might 
To have things all ready to help you tonight. 
My attendants are ready; at a beckon from me, 
What we've been doing you surely shall see. 

(Waivinjr wand) 

Come, fairies, come, 'tis time to appear. 
Bring forth the gifts that give joy and cheer. 

(Enter several little children as fairies, in pairs, drawing a train of little 
express wagons full of the children's treat.) 

( SANTA ) 
(Prancing around and gesticulating) 

Well, well, I see now you're not at all lazy, 
I hope you won't think me ** cranky " or "crazy." 
And I'm really surprised at this lov^ely display 
I know we'll all have a glad Christmas day. 

- 74 - 



•' FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



Now, we'll not miss any dear girls and boys. 
Each shall have some nice candies and toys^ 
Oh here goes to see what's in this big packet. 

(Making gestures suitable and opening the big bundle which is full of 
pop corn, apples, small candy, etc., and which he scatters promiscuously out 
over audience in a way to make fun for girls and boys especially. There is 
occasion here for Santa to do many funny things and eat and make remarks 
for Children's benefit. Then he goes for the gifts in fairie's train and with 
them helps to distribute the treat— after saying these closing lines.) 

And, come, now, don't raise such a terrible racket; 
Now here we go — one, two and three. 
What you each ought to have we'll very soon see ; 
Now here is your treat and plenty good cheer, 
And love and kindness to last all the year. 



CHRISTMAS PIECES 

(for a SMAI.I. tot) 

Christmas time again is here, 
That gives to each and all good cheer 
Then let us all be glad and gay 
For every merry Christmas day. 



(for another small child) 
Apples, peaches, pears and plums 

Are splendid fruits for me, 
But I think the finest fruit 

Comes from a Christmas tree. 

- 75 - 



FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



(for a boy) 
Jack and Jill went out to play 
On a merry Christmas day ; 
The story goes that Jill fell down, 
Jack bumped his nose and broke his crown ; 
But such things happen when we play 
On any other coasting day ; 
But that don't stop our fun a bit, 
And 'tis no sign that we will quit. 



76 - 



JUVENILE POEMS 



"FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



TO THE G. A. R. 

(Recitation for Decoration Day.) 

Gather, ye veterans old, 

Gather in proud array; 
Marshal your forces once more 
For Decoration Day. 

And roll, roll, the drums, 
Beat a sad " tat-too," 
And fire, fire the guns 
For the brave and the true. 

Keep measured step and slow. 

Soldiers growing grey ; 
Be glad you're honored still 
On Decoration Day. 

And roll, roll the sound 
Of your drums " tat -too," 
And fire your signal gun 
O'er the brave and true. 

Remember those who fell 

Fighting by your side; 
Remember, honor, love, 

The flag for which they died. 

Then march, march today, 
To the drum's " tat -too," 
And bear the colors gay, 
The old, *'red, white and blue. 



- 79 



FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



Do not forget the cause 

That made you wear the ' ' blue ; * ' 
O, keep your memories fresh 

And keep your hearts as true. 

Then tramp, tramp today, 
To the drum's " tat-too," 
And bear sweet garlands gay 
For the brave and true. 



THE LITTLE BOOT-BLACK 

(To be acted out by two characters.) 

O, yes, I'm iust a boot-black; 

Won't you have a shine? 
I'll do my work so nice, sir, 

For only half a dime. 

Do I like to work, sir? 

Yes, when I've lots to do ; 
For I*m very poor, you see — 

Put up your other shoe. 

Can I read and write? you ask; 

I should say I can— 
I go to evening school, sir, 

I'll be an educated man. 

And what will I do then, sir? 
O, well, I cannot say; 

- 80- 



FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



But many a smart man, sir, 
Has started just this way. 

I'm not ashamed of honest work; 

I always do my best 
To please my many customers 

However they are dressed. 

Though I don't pile up the money, sir. 

My character I make ; 
While I am shining dirty shoes 

My future is at stake. 

Ho, you've my best wishes, sir, 
When e'er you come this way 

Call upon this boot -black, please ; 
Thank you, sir; good day. 



MERRY-GO-'ROUND 

Come Ella and Stella 

and Rosa and Delia, 
Come let us play 

we're a merry -go -*round. 
With circling and twirling 

join hands a whirling, 
O, what fun it is 

to skim o'er the ground. 

And it's circling a circle, 

a wavering circle^ 

- 81 — 



"FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



Till dizzy you fall, 

a heap on the ground ; 
But it's funny and funnier, 

until you're succumbing 
And feel you're a 

**really" merry -go -'round. 

But Stella and Ella 

and every girl Delia 
Would rather have ''make . rii f 

b*lieve" merry -go -'round 
And join hands a-whirling 

and laughing and tv^irling 
And kicking the pebbles 

and dirt oer the ground. 

Nothing like playing things, 

racing and saying things 
That mean other things 

that you may do ; ' 
Nothing like "'tending like" 

making things seeming like 
Things that you "make believe" 

as things are true. 



— 82 



■' FERN LEAVES " AND OTHER MUSINGS 



A COMEDY OF COLORS 

It reallv is amusing 

The tricks that color play, 
For names we use so often 

Don't mean just what they say. 

Now, there is ''Mr. White " you'd think 

The fairest of all shades ; 
But, no, he is not fair at all, 

He's black as *'ace of spades." 

And there is " Mr. Blue,'' ah, me. 

With hair as red as brick ; 
And " Mr. Black" so pale you'd think 

He surely had been sick. 

And ** Mr. Greene " a fine brunette 
With beard ^s black as coal ; 

Mr. Orange " is a lovely tan. 
And " Lavender " is gold. 

And ** Mr. Lemon," mercy me. 

Is white as any snow ; 
And that's the way with colors fine — 

Misplaced where e'er you go. 

And '' Mr. Grey" is darkest brown. 

And Mr. Brown is grey — 
It really is amusing 

The tricks that colors play. 

— 83 - 



"FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



A CHILD'S WORK 

(For Children's Day.) 

Kind friends, I greet you, one and all, 
Although, you see, I*m very small ; 
But once a year comes Children's Day, 
So I came here a word to say. 
I'll tell you what a child can do 
When its heart is kind and true : 
A penny bring on Sabbath day 
To send to heathen's far away ; 
Speak kind words and never be 
Unkind and cross as some we see ; 
With parents kind we should not tease. 
But try their loving hearts to please. 
And though I'm very small, you say, 
I'll try to be day after day 
Patient, kind and cheerful, too, 
And that's a lot for me to do. 
Just think what would this old world be 
Were there no little folks like me? 



CHILDREN'S MISSION 

(For "Children's Day.") 

There are other lands with many homes 
Where the sun shines bright and fair ; 

But, their souls are dark in those heathen lands, 
For no gospel light is there. 

— 84 — 



" FERN LEAVES " AND OTHER MUSINGS 



The children hear not the " lullabys" 

The Christian mother sings ; 
But more oft are hushed by a cruel fate 

That heathen worship brings. 

Yes, there are many homes in our own dear land 
That are darkness and gloom tonight; 

Where to hungry souls and childish hearts 
There comes no gospel light. 

There's the drunkard's child and orphan waif, 

That wait all hungry and cold, 
For some kind hand and loving heart 

To bring them into love's fold. 

So then should we in better homes 

Do something for those in ^eed ; 
Help the poor, the heathen, the** orphan, too. 

For the Savior's ** lambs to feed." 

Thus may we practice the Golden Rule, 

And ever kind words say; 
And praise our God for the Sabbath School 

And for the beautiful '' Children's Day." 



CHILDREN'S DAY 

When days are bright and longest. 

And roses are in bloom, 
'Tis then we have a Children's Day 

In the balmy month of June. 

- 85 — 



"FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



'Tis then we sing together 
And speak our pieces, too, 

And show to older people 
The good that we can do. 

Our little hands are willing, 
Our hearts are full of love ; 

That we are Christian workers 
Our little deeds must prove. 

Then don't neglect the small ones, 

For our kind Savior, dear. 
Blessed and loved the children 

When he was living here. 
I mean to be a worker. 

For Jesus loves me. too, 
And though I'm very little. 

There's much that I can do. 



ROBIN RED BREAST 

A gay Robin Red Breast 
Made so cozy a nest 

Up in a tree, 
It rocked in the breeze 
That swept through the trees 

Softly, gently. 

O, wise Robin Red Breast, 
You have made your nice nest 
Of wool and hay ; 

- 86 - 



FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



From sheep came the wool, 
Yes a whole nest full 
You carried away. 

When the small robins come 
They will live in a home 

So soft and warm, 
Mother Robin will spread 
Her wings o'er the bed 

To guard from harm. 



A LITTLE GIRL'S DIFFICULTIES 

Mamma says I must always be good, O, dear, 
When it's not always easy for me 
When peaches are hanging low near the ground 
And grapes are ripe, don't you see? 

And the cookey jar's close on the first pantry shelf, 
And big lumps of sugar in reach — 
It's hard to be " good," so awfully good, 
Though that's what older folks preach. 

O' yes, I can try, but dolly won't mind 
In all that I tell her she should ; 
So I do not think it is so terribly bad 
If I can't be always so good. 

If they'd just keep the cookies and candies and such 
Good things out of my sight. 
And make my doll mind, and every one good, 
I think I'd be better all right. 

- 87 — 



"FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



A LITTLE BOY'S DESIRE 

My friends, I*m just a little boy, 

What can I do? you say. 
My hands are small, I know not much- 

I'm only in the way. 

Large brains big prizes win," O, yes, 

But my work to begin ; 
Must I wait 'till I'm a man? 

When shall I ever win? 

No, if I'd make a useful man 
Some work I now must do ; 

So I am thankful for each chance 
To be a worker, too. 



AN ACCIDENT, AN INCIDENT 

One more form is still and silent. 
Two more eyes are closed for aye. 

No more in the happy gambol 
Will our kitten join in play. 

Naughty Rover eating supper 

Snapped our cat while standing by, 

And the wound he made was fatal, 
On the grass we saw her die. 

- 88 — 



FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



No, there's nothing can replace her, 
o'er our home is cast a gloom ; 

Now the mice will have a picnic 

Since our cat's gone up the "flume." 



A LITTLE GIRL'S BOAST 

(A Burlesque.) 

There is nothing like civilization, 

And the pleasures with which it is fraught ; 
I am glad that I live in this country, 

That I'm not a Hottentot. 
They never have any mirrors, 

Nor curlers to crimp their hair on ; 
And they never saw a silk parasol 

With which to keep off the sun ; 
And what do they know about fashions, 

Those heathens so far away? 
They never have sewing circles ; 

O, I'm glad I live here today. 



A FINE BOY 

Pinkie Ponkie," what a boy, 
Rides a horse and hates a toy ; 
Has high boots with tops of red, 
Wears a blue cap upon his head ; 
Never swears or slams the door. 
Nor leaves his books upon the floor ; 
Isn't " Pink " a funny boy? 
Pinkie Ponkie " is a joy. 

— 89 - 



" FERN LEAVES " AND OTHER MUSINGS 



SPEECHES FOR LITTLE TOTS 

I can count and I can read 
My lessons ; I can write, 

I can mind my teacher well, 

And kiss mamma good night. 



(a little girl's piece) 
I can wash my dolly's clothes, 

And iron them very well ; 
I teach my cat and dog and dolls 
To read and write and spell. 

And I can be a nice, good girl, 
This I'm proud to say ; 

I can help my mother dear 
As well as I can play. 



(a baby speech) 
You scarce expect a tiny tot 
To say a speech today, 
But I can throw you all a kiss (Throws kiss) 
And bow and go away. 

(Bows and leaves the floor) 



- 90 



FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



FOR LITTLE FOLKS 

Don't be cross to any one, 

Not for any cause, 
If you want a present from 

Dear old Santa Claus ; 
You must be both kind and good 

And mind your teacher as you should 



Hello, folks, how are you today? 
I didn't come to say a speech, 

I have not much to say ; 
So I guess I'll say " good-bye" 

And bow and go away. 



Sweet little birdies up in a tree 
Are singing for you and singing for me ; 
What are they singing ! It's not hard to tell, 
We love you, we love you, we love you well 
Then we should love them and try to be 
Happy as birdies up in a tree. 

(Copied from an old note book) 



. > » 



OUR PETS 

' Crumpy " is a cow so red. 
Has two horns upon her head ; 
* ' Dumpy " is a little calf 
Whose funny tricks would make you laugh, 



-91 - 



"FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



Frisky " is a spotted dog 
Who sits and barks upon a log ; 
** Donney " is the family horse, 
Drawing loads for us of course 



A SPEECH 

Say a speech? 

Of course I can ; 
Just listen to each word 
And I know 

You'll think my speech 
The best you ever heard. 

Now, I guess I'll say no more, 
So 1*11 bow and leave the floor. 



(Copied from an old note book.) 

Jack and Jill went up the hill ' ' 

To coast upon their sled ; 
The hill was steep, the day was cold, 

It made their noses red ; 
But Jack was strong and Jill was brave. 

Sometimes their sleds upset. 
But then they never minded it — 

Perhaps they're coasting yet. 



- 92 - 



FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



CHILDREN'S PIECES 

(for a little boy) 
I'm a little boy 

Not yet seven, 
But I can count 

More than eleven. 
Yes, I can read, 

And I can write, 
But now it is time 

To say "good night." 



(for a small child) 
I'm very young, but what of that, 

You once were young as I, 
And you don't know what I can do 

Until you see me try. 

As little sunbeams make the world 
Bright where e'er they fly ; 

So little children all can light 
The world if they but try. 

(another small piece) 
Little boys and little girls all 

Should do their duty great or small ; 
Should try to do what e'er they can. 

As they'll find this the wisest plan. 

— 93 - 



"FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



BABY SONG 

Baby-bye, whereas your eye; 

You can count if you but try ; 

You can laugh, why don't you talk? 

You can crawl, why don't you walk? 

Are you lazy baby dear? 

Baby does not seem to hear. 

Baby open wide your eyes 

Till your noddle grows more wise. 



Little Bo-peep had gone to sleep, 
When she went to get her sheep ; 
She stopped to play upon the hay, 
But slept so tight 'twas nearly night 
And the sun had gone away. 



-94- 



" FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



THE CURSE OF HAM 

(Synopsis of a true story.) 

A few years ago a northern family located in the 
South. Domiciled in an old sputhern mansion, 
through friends, they secured for cook and house- 
keeper the services of a very capable mulatto 
woman whom we shall call Aunt Alabama, or 
** Auntie Bam." 

It was impossible to be glum or discouraged 
around her. She was a "sure cure" for " blues," 
with her African wit and hilarious laughter. 

Being a first-class worker, industrious and 
thoroughly reliable, *' Auntie Bam" commanded 
the best of positions and wages, and her new em- 
ployers were not slow to appreciate her worth. 

Her employer, whom we shall call Mr. John- 
son, often plied her with questions, enjoying her 
quaint southern brogue, rich in wit, provincialisms, 
queer expressions of most exhilarating maxims, 
proverbs and superstitions. To those northern 
people ' * Auntie Bam * ' was a revelation of southern 
character and they enjoyed it to the extreme. 

Upon one subject " Auntie Bam " was ever 
willing to expand, i. e., her son. Back in the 
years when Alabama was a care -free, happy, hard- 
working girl she had met what proved to be her 
fate^her future husband. 

In the person of a tall, good looking, intelligent 

— 95 — 



"FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



mulatto she thought she recognized the embodiment 
of her ideal *' helpmeet." He boasted his pedigree 
from illustrious white ancestors and built up for 
himself a false estimate of his real worth, instilling 
the same erroneous estimate into his sweetheart's 
mind. 

The subsequent developments in their matri- 
monial career dispelled the illusion in Alabama's 
mind. He was a worthless, shiftless husband, full 
of dreams and false imaginations with a contempt 
for the ordinary duties of life, leaving his wife the 
living to make. But, one day, he did a kind deed 
-^he died. 

His faults were buried with him, likewise his 
aspirations and talents except what his son (an 
only child) inherited. "Auntie Bam" had done 
well by this son, working to educate him, giving 
most of her hard earned wages without stint, that 
he should have a chance and be fitted for a position 
worthy of such a son. 

He was the pride of her life, her ideal idealized, 
inheriting the talents and fine physique of his white 
ancestors — in fact, showing scarcely enough of 
African characteristics to mark him as a *'son of 
Ham." 

But, alas! who can escape? The estimate of 
worth his mother had instilled into his mind, 
while perhaps correct, was false as to its applica- 
tion and practicability. Neither had reckoned with 
the "curse of Ham" that hung over him to disap- 

- 96 - 



■FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



point all hopes and dispel all happy illusions as to 
earthly honor and intellectual achievements. 

The South was not slow to show them their mis- 
take, and so to the North — the land of hope for the 
slave, the home of pro,2:ress and civic righteousness, 
the birth-place of genius, the country of churches 
and schools — to this he came with ability and con- 
fidence to realize his own and his mother's dreams. 
But here in this land of promise his curse was 
proclaimed before him. He was barred from com- 
mercial positions, from intellectual pursuits and 
civil offices, forced to take inferior positions, poor- 
ly-paying menial work, not because he was not 
competentj but because over his brow was written 
the curse of Ham. 

His mother? Oh, she must not know the 
crushing truth — she had faith in him, and oh, what 
will the desponding, deperate soul not do to keep 
the faith that is so consoling ! 

He put her off with ingeniously invented stories 
as to why he did not succeed, giving menial posi- 
tions scientific or figurative names. Thus writing 
that he w^as a "tonsorial artist" instead of barber, 
and the good mother, ever hopeful and confident, 
exhibited in pride these flowery epistles to her 
emplo3^ers. But these people saw the delusion, 
and knowing the conditions with which he must 
contend, pitied, but informed not, to dispel the de- 
lusion. 



- 97 



"FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



Months and years went by and "Auntie" was 
less hopeful, but more resigned to an undefined 
disappointment. But one day she got a letter with 
letter heads of large buildings and the son stated 
that he had a government position, but small pay, 
and he had. Proudly she exhibited this letter to 
"Mars. Johnson," and he saw and read and knew 
the bitter truth. He recognized in the buildings 
the federal penitentiary in his native state, and he 
guessed the miserable truth. 

Despairing of a lucrative position, gradually 
realizing that the "curse of Ham" was still upon 
him, this proud son of the South had fallen in with 
some "get-rich-quick" methods. O, fatal error! 
Trusting in his shrewdness to keep outside the law, 
yet when the law's iron grasp had foiled the 
progress of a counterfeit gang, they were quick to 
unload the burden of guilt upon one who must be 
a "scape goat" for their offenses, because this 
"curse of Ham" made it possible. 

The penitentiary, ruin and wrecked hopes — a 
mother still trusting with a heart full of love for one 
who now is hopeless ; who has disappointment for 
faith, a crushing sorrow for ambition, defeat for 
honest effort, poverty for efficient talent— disgrace, 
a broken heart, death — these were all his, all be- 
cause of a curse he could not lift. 

One da3^ "Auntie Bam's" face was sad, her 
cheerful laughter was stilled, and in answer to 



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" FERN LEAVES " AND OTHER MUSINGS 



earnest solicitude of her friends she explained that 
an old friend was ill with the folks in her cabin 
across the fields. She asked and gained permis- 
sion to spend the nights there in helping care for 
him. Weeks went by and "Mars. Johnson's" 
folks went on a trip. After a few days' absence 
they returned to find Alabama greatly changed. 
She was very sad and looked ill, but offered no 
explanation, only that her ''friend" was dead and 
she need not go to help him any more. 

But each evening -time when the twilight and 
the stars looked down or the storm cloud scudded 
by, ''Auntie Bam" stole out into the night some- 
where, and when slumber wrapped the busy world 
in silence, softly she came again, but not a word 
she offered as to her mission. 

" Mars. Johnson" concluded to investigate 
and offer help if needed, so following at a safe dis- 
tance saw her cross the fields to a "colored" grave- 
yard. Listening at the old broken vine -covered 
fence, he heard the plaint of a mother's breaking 
heart, the assurance of a mother's love and faith, 
and the lament for mistaken treatment of a cruel 
world, coupled with the lullaby with which she had 
sung her babe to sleep and soothed his dying 
hours. The truth was out at last, but safe with 
the kind "Mars. Johnson." 

The son, despairing, broken in health, know- 
ing himself incurable, he broke from prison ; sick, 

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"FERN LEAVES" AND OTHER MUSINGS 



suffering with exposure, starving, evading meeting 
humanity, hiding, stealing his way, but persever- 
ing, he at last reached his mother's cabin, a 
wretched wreck, a hunted fugitive, there to die in 
his mother's love and protection after many days 
of illness. Sometimes in his delirious moments he 
was a care -free happy boy begging his mother for 
boyish favors, or asking her to sing him to sleep 
with her quaint southern melodies. Or again he 
was a hunted fugitive, starving, thirsting, suffering 
in mind and body — all, all was lived over in his 
delirium, so that his mother learned the bitter 
truth. But she blamed him not, her faith was 
always the same, it was the misjudgment of a cruel 
world. Only at last with a breaking heart, as her 
son lay in the peace of death, free from his pur- 
suers, free from false ambitions, beyond the grasp 
of man's law, then, and not till then, did she learn 
that he was he^— free from the ''curse of Ham.'' 

(See the poem on page 16) 



NOTE TO "CURSE OF HAM. 



the "curse of Ham?" 'Vl 

himself free from its ^.r^/HL \ 
anentthis "curse of .fN ^ J 



(Will anyone attempt to analyze this mystery of 
Will anyone who may say it is not fair or just declare 
influence? It matters not what oji e, may think or feel __ __ _ _ _, 

Ham" he will find that in someffie is^toucned and swayea~birT^s^t"range and" 
mysterious influence, if in anyway he comes in contact with its demonstrated 
laws. Be righteous as you may, be just and sincere, be sympathetic and 
charitable, "be everything to everyone," but vou'll not be free from feeling 
the existense of such a curse. It looks simple on the surface as to expla- 
nation but logic only admits its unexplainable qualities. If anyone can give 
a correct analysis of this strange "curse" as to its cause of existence let 
him send it in. 

Back of it all will be the ever unanswerable Why?) 



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018 378 115 7 ^ 




